Literature Reviews

In this chapter, we will learn about the different types of literature reviews possible within and alongside a socio-technical grounded theory (STGT) study. First, we will address why a literature review is needed in a research project, listing some of its unique advantages in an STGT study. Next, we will learn about the two literature reviews—the lean literature review (LLR) and the targeted literature review (TLR)—performed in the basic and advanced stages of an STGT study respectively, including their coverage, purpose, timing, uses, and limitations. This will be followed by an overview of the grounded theory literature review (GTLR) as a full-scale review method using an emergent and iterative approach native to STGT that can be performed either as a standalone review study or conducted before or after an empirical STGT study. Next, we will briefly discuss other literature review methods popular in software engineering research including informal reviews and systematic reviews such as the systematic literature review (SLR) and systematic mapping studies (SMS). The chapter will conclude with a discussion of the potential interplay between STGT studies and systematic reviews, along with presenting a Literature Review Selection Guide to help researchers select the most appropriate literature review methods for their general review needs.